Tag: Space

Moonfall and That Sinking Feeling….

Moonfall is hilarious to watch because we know the tropes Roland Emmerich loves using, and he regurgitates those ideas well.

Moonfall (2022) - IMDbMaster of Disaster Roland Emmerich certainly loves ancient alien theory, and I believe Stargate (1994) helped cement his status in this subgenre. He’s been to space and back with Moon 44,  but that wasn’t the movie which started it all. He’s better known for Independence Day and in that regard, Moonfall is familiar.

This movie is hilarious to watch because we know the tropes he loves using, and he regurgitates those ideas well. This filmmaker introduces Brian Harper (Patrick Wilson), an astronaut who gets canned because he failed in one mission. His peers don’t believe he saw a swarm of cosmic mist that caused his crewmates to die. He’s somewhat similar to Steven Hiller–Will Smith’s character.

On Earth, K.C. Houseman (John Bradley) is a conspiracy geek who uncovers the truth and is much like David (Jeff Goldblum’s character). This actor is good in the role, but I suspect casting wanted Jack Black. He’d be great at injecting some craziness to why nobody buys into what he discovered. The sky is falling! The moon is coming out of orbit and will soon cause world-wide devastation. 

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VFFOnline 2021: Reaching for the Stars, Not Mars in Queen of the Andes

Unlike going to the moon and coming back, the difference is with how much of the experience can affect the psyche. This movie deals with this aspect of why not everyone is excited to return to space. A few ideas also feel like they were from H.G. Wells’ novella, The Shape of Things to Come. The shifting of ideologies and marxist attitudes–is this part of how these private enterprises planning their space programs are run?

Queen of the Andes - IMDb

By Ed Sum
(The Vintage Tempest)

Streaming Online
at the Victoria Film Festival
Get your pass here to view beginning Feb 5th, 2021

Note: Available to view for residents in British Columbia

If Leonardo DiCaprio can stand at the bow of a ship and proclaim he’s the King of the World, then so can Bhreagh MacNeil climb the highest mountain and announce she’s Queen of the Andes. Technically, a plant bearing this name exists in Peru and its lifecycle is unique. It doesn’t flower until they are about 80 – 100 years old.

MacNeil plays a bright scientist, Pillar, who has ideas on how to help society at home. She’s even proposed a means to end world hunger, and a few people are ready to take notice. The performance from this actress is strong. She’s questioning why she was selected to take part in Canada’s quest to get into Space. She feels she can do more at home, on planet Earth, with her discovery and to decide on which career to take part in is tough.

This future ‘what if’ scenario is more about civil rights—to which it succeeds in exploring—than complete science fiction. The privately funded Space Program seen in this film is not all that rosy. However, its borderline tones of conspiracy made this watch to the end a must.

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Apollo 11 Quarantine to Arrive at Select IMAX!

Director/Producer Todd Douglas Miller remarked, “I am honored to be working again with so many talented filmmakers and the innovative teams at NEON, CNN Films, and IMAX. And very excited for audiences to experience a little-known part of history –an enduring message of hope during these unprecedented times.”

Why were Apollo 11 astronauts put in quarantine? - skyatnightmagazineApollo 11: Quarantine, the new short film from director/producer Todd Douglas Miller (Apollo 11, Dinosaur 13) is coming to select IMAX theatres world wide beginning January 29th. Just when you think staying at home because of a pandemic is tough, these astronauts have it even rougher! They have to remain in isolation for three weeks than two, and the fear of bringing a space-borne virus to all of humanity is just the same.

This piece is created by the award-winning filmmakers behind the cinematic version recounting Apollo 11’s blast off, exploration, landing and return. This film is co-presented by NEON and CNN Films, Apollo 11: Quarantine will feature never-before-seen 70mm footage sourced from the National Archives and NASA.

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